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Published on January 24, 2025
Trump Ties LA Wildfire Aid to Voter ID and Water Management Demands, Gov. Newsom Rebukes Conditioned Help Amid CrisisSource: Governor Gavin Newsom

As Los Angeles continues to battle raging wildfires, President Donald Trump made a controversial statement on Friday, insisting that federal aid for the disaster-struck region would only be considered if California implements voter ID laws and improves its water management. "I want to see two things in Los Angeles. Voter ID, so that the people have a chance to vote, and I want to see the water be released and come down into Los Angeles and throughout the state," Trump said, as stated by KTLA.

These demands came just as Trump was set to visit Los Angeles to survey wildfire damages. According to a report by ABC7, Gov. Gavin Newsom's office fired back at Trump's demands, emphasizing that conditioning aid for American citizens is in direct violation of their rights. The office further clarified that California's water pumping has not been altered since the first Trump administration and that current law already mandates the provision of ID to register to vote.

Amid this standoff, Trump has chosen not to exclude the state's two Democratic U.S. senators from proceedings. However, the relationship between Trump and Newsom remains strained. "I'm glad he's coming out here. I'm grateful that the president's taking the time," Newsom expressed, in a statement acquired by CalMatters. "And I hope he comes with a spirit of cooperation and collaboration. That’s the spirit to which we welcome him."